[Event Report] All Awards Including AI Judge Prize Announced! Black Thunder's First Hackathon 'Blackathon'! Fun Inventions That Make Engineers Want to Eat Black Thunder Gather!

Yuraku Seika Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kodaira City, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Tatsunobu Kawai) held the hackathon event 'Blackathon' (*2) for engineers hosted by the chocolate confectionery 'Black Thunder' for two days on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Akihabara, Tokyo.

This event received applications from 318 people in 106 teams, far exceeding expectations. After selection, 69 people in 20 teams participated on the day. Centered on engineers from diverse fields such as software, hardware, and XR, some teams also included designers and marketers. High-energy development unfolded over two days under the theme 'Ideas that make engineers want to eat Black Thunder.'

On the day, participants experienced a new development style called 'Black Thunder Driven Development (BTDD),' where they ate Black Thunder while working. Other entertaining support features were also prepared at the venue. According to a participant survey, the event satisfaction rate was 98.4%. Furthermore, 95.2% answered that 'Black Thunder and engineers are a good match,' and 85.7% said they would like to incorporate Black Thunder Driven Development into their own development in the future, resulting in overwhelming enthusiasm from the engineer community.

*1) Hackathon is a combination of 'hack' and 'marathon,' an event where participants such as engineers form teams to develop products in a short period and present/evaluate their outcomes.

*2) Blackathon is the event name combining Black Thunder and hackathon.

Blackathon official website: https://yurakuseika.co.jp/blackathon

● Two Days to Experience 'Black Thunder Driven Development (BTDD)'

'Blackathon' was born to propose a new way to enjoy Black Thunder as a 'companion for PC work,' and is the first engineer hackathon hosted by Black Thunder.

Black Thunder's crunchy texture, satisfying feeling, and easy-to-eat size with one hand are suitable for refreshment and energy recharge during work breaks, making it an excellent match for desk work. Focusing on engineers who spend long hours in front of computers, we held a hackathon to experience the development method 'Black Thunder Driven Development (BTDD),' where you take a breather while eating Black Thunder during development.

● Fun Development Content at the Venue

The venue offered Black Thunder-style features for participants to enjoy during development breaks. Particularly notable was the all-you-can-eat Black Thunder corner to experience the BTDD method. According to a participant survey, a total of 891 Black Thunder bars were consumed over the two days, averaging about 14 bars per person. The personal record was 40 bars.

Participants focused on development said things like 'It's great to replenish sugar without getting your hands dirty while typing on the keyboard,' or when hungry, 'It's easy to eat with one hand, and the crunchy texture is a great wake-up call.' They naturally incorporated it as a 'companion for PC work.'

Also, a 'Black Thunder Wall' was set up, where peeling off Black Thunder-shaped cards on the wall revealed goods to support development. In addition to Black Thunder cooling packs and cushions, items like 4K monitors were lent out to support each team's development. Participants who won whiteboard helper goods used them as tools for serious discussion of ideas.

Furthermore, all participants received event-original Blackathon T-shirts, original sticker sets, and one box of Black Thunder. Many attendees wore the T-shirts immediately, dressed in 'black' clothes for development.

● Announcement of Winner and Category Awards – Diverse Development Results Gather

After two days of development, all 20 teams presented their outcomes in the final presentation. Many works showcased technical skill and Black Thunder-esque playfulness. Each team demonstrated products or ideas implemented in limited time, drawing surprise, laughter, and applause from the audience. In the judging, the winning team and several category awards were selected. The event comprehensively evaluated technical skill, ideas, completeness, and playfulness, and the team that garnered the most support as a work symbolizing Blackathon was chosen as the winner.

Winner

Work Name: Black Thunder Driven Development Device (BTDD Device) ~AI and Humans Work for Black Thunder, True Driven Development~
Team: Beavers' Hive

[Work Overview]

A development support device 'BTDD Device' that rewards engineers' token usage with Black Thunder. It visualizes usage and automatically provides Black Thunder when a certain level is reached. It automates opening, transport, and replenishment, realizing a hands-free eating experience.

[Technical Features]

Token usage is detected in conjunction with Claude Code and Codex, and limits are visualized on a 5-hour and weekly basis. Features include a packaging cutting mechanism and robot arm transport/replenishment, leveraging knowledge in the FA field.

[Concept]

This device creates a unique virtuous cycle centered on Black Thunder. Token usage triggers higher productivity, and eating further boosts motivation — that is the experience design. By interposing Black Thunder in the relationship 'humans use AI,' it humorously redefines the relationship between humans, AI, and snacks.

[Reason for Award]

As a mechanism to make engineers want to eat Black Thunder during work, it boasted the highest completeness. The experience design that visualizes token consumption and provides Black Thunder linked to its decrease, plus the automation of opening without dirtying hands, is excellent. Creative ingenuity without relying on expensive equipment, robust build, and screen/LED effects made it a work that strongly attracts engineers' interest, making them want to see the 'awesome mechanism.'

[Winner's Comment]
We are truly happy to win! Especially the packaging cutting mechanism part; it was difficult to achieve precision and involved continuous trial and error, but persistent adjustments led to the result. We are thrilled that our idea and craftsmanship were recognized!

Category Awards

In addition to the winner, category awards were given to excellent works from various perspectives.

■ Waku-Zaku! Idea Award

(Evaluating unique ideas and playfulness)

Work Name: Black Scander
Team: kb

(Selected by: Yuraku Seika Co., Ltd., President and Representative Director Tatsunobu Kawai)

[Work Overview]

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